[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      AMERICA MUST HAVE HEALTH CARE REFORM WITH UNIVERSAL COVERAGE

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
address an issue on the minds of many here and in my district--health 
care reform.
  The real solution which health care reform must find is the 
protection of the working class. Remember, 85 percent of the uninsured 
in America are in working families. The middle class of America will 
once again be left to shoulder the burden for rising medical costs if 
health care reform without universal coverage is enacted.
  If we do nothing, some may say we will do no harm, but the facts say 
otherwise. For the people of Texas, our lack of action will mean over 2 
million Texans who work for a living will be denied health care 
protection.
  If we do nothing, Texas will lose about $2,5 billion in uncompensated 
care each year. If we do nothing, over 9 million Texans will be denied 
mental health and substance abuse benefits.
  Texas and all of America needs health care reform with universal 
coverage as the central feature of the package.
  As the Wall Street Journal noted, the lack of universal coverage will 
mean more uninsured and higher costs to the Government, which means 
higher costs to the taxpayer. We must make the smart choice and enact 
reform with universal coverage.

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